Introduction to Western Cook County High School Basketball
The Sun-Times’ high school basketball Mount Rushmore project highlights the sport’s biggest names and greatest stars. With the prep career as the criteria’s centerpiece — with a sprinkling of post-high school success and overall stature used as a separator — we’ve created a Mount Rushmore for 10 geographical regions throughout the Chicago area.
History of High School Basketball in Western Cook County
There’s a lot of boys high school hoops history to take in within the Western Cook geographic region, but two programs — and all their star players over many decades — are at the forefront. Proviso East and St. Joseph, a school that shut its doors in 2021, were bound to significantly impact this area’s Mount Rushmore.
Proviso East’s Legacy
Even putting together a Proviso East-only Mount Rushmore would be a challenge, with the program having churned out such talents as Doc Rivers, Jim Brewer, Dee Brown, Shannon Brown, Michael Finley, Donnie Boyce, Sherrell Ford, Jevon Carter, Jacob Pullen, and Steven Hunter.
St. Joseph’s Legacy
And St. Joseph? It won more games in the 1980s than any other program in Illinois and was a state power for 30 years. The stars that legendary coach Gene Pingatore coached there began with the great Isiah Thomas. There also were two McDonald’s All-Americans — Deryl Cunningham and Daryl Thomas — plus Demetri McCamey and Evan Turner, among others.
Notable Players
Glen Grunwald, East Leyden
Grunwald’s success in the 1970s still echoes among high school basketball fans. Until a year ago, he remained the only player named to the all-area team as a freshman and the only four-time selection. He also was a four-time all-stater. As a freshman, the 6-9 Grunwald averaged 18 points, which he followed with averages of 21 points as a sophomore, 23 as a junior, and 27 as a senior on his way to 2,200 career points. By the time he was a senior, he was the No. 1 ranked player in the country, according to one national recruiting service. Coaches from all over the U.S., including North Carolina’s Dean Smith, Kentucky’s Joe B. Hall, and Indiana’s Bobby Knight — who ultimately won Grunwald’s services — coveted his size, fundamentals, and smarts.
Corey Maggette, Fenwick
Three of Western Cook’s Mount Rushmore figures all played their high school ball 40-plus years ago. Among more recent contenders, there were plenty to choose from, but Maggette’s talent, stature, and résumé are enough to solidify his spot. It still has been more than 25 years since he played at Fenwick, but there’s a reason why his No. 50 is retired there. He entered high school with a ton of fanfare, already looking like a college player with his 6-6 size and physique. For many, the instant reaction to seeing him up close was, “Wow.” He was an explosive player off the floor and a powerful finisher at the rim with high-flying dunks. But he also had a jumper with range, making more than 40 three-pointers as a senior.
Fenwick won its first sectional championship in Maggette’s junior season. As a senior averaging 23.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, he was the catalyst of a team that reached the Elite Eight. The Friars went a combined 77-12 in his final three seasons as he attained McDonald’s All-American status and became a consensus top-20 prospect.
Doc Rivers, Proviso East
There was an explosion of interest in boys high school basketball in the late 1970s, thanks in large part to the arrival of three players from Chicago’s West Side and near-western suburbs: Thomas, Mark Aguirre, and Glenn “Doc” Rivers. It was Rivers, a 6-3 guard and McDonald’s All-American, who most put fans on the edges of their seats with his explosive athleticism and speed. The first freshman to play varsity basketball at Proviso East, he became a three-time all-stater. The Pirates went 99-13 in his four seasons, although they never advanced beyond the sectional.
Isiah Thomas, St. Joseph
If he’s not the greatest high school player in state history, he’s the greatest of the pre-shot clock era, not to mention one of the most influential college and pro players of all time, a man often referred to as the best pure point guard ever. Thomas won a national championship at Indiana. He won a pair of NBA titles with the Pistons. But he never won a state title. He came close. St. Joe’s reached the state championship game in 1978, Thomas’ junior year, after a quarterfinal win over Aguirre and Westinghouse but lost to Lockport in the title game. Thomas was the state tournament’s leading scorer with 93 points in four games, sparking admiration that was in full force going forward.
Conclusion
The legacy of high school basketball in Western Cook County is rich and storied, with numerous talented players and programs making their mark on the sport. From Proviso East to St. Joseph, and from Doc Rivers to Isiah Thomas, the region has produced some of the greatest players and teams in Illinois history.
FAQs
Q: Who are some of the notable players from Western Cook County?
A: Some notable players from Western Cook County include Doc Rivers, Isiah Thomas, Glen Grunwald, and Corey Maggette.
Q: What programs have had the most significant impact on Western Cook County’s Mount Rushmore?
A: Proviso East and St. Joseph have had the most significant impact on Western Cook County’s Mount Rushmore.
Q: Who is considered one of the greatest high school players in state history?
A: Isiah Thomas is considered one of the greatest high school players in state history.
Q: What is the criteria for selecting players for the Mount Rushmore?
A: The criteria for selecting players for the Mount Rushmore include their prep career, post-high school success, and overall stature.
